It was about another twenty minutes before I saw Dakotah emerge from the hallway sporting a fancy bright-pink splint and some medication. "Nice touch, it matches you nicely."
Dakotah, his skin not as pallor as before, gave me a small smile. "Thanks."
Reaching each other around the same time, both of us standing just outside the waiting room, "You ready to leave this dreadful place?" I ask, offering my arm. Unashamedly, he loops his into mine and we stride together towards the receptionist to check-out. We then left the hospital in an easy silence. Simply enjoying the other's company.
After some time, we arrive at our dorm. Opening the door, which happened to lead into the kitchen, I almost step on the broken porcelain. "Well that was dangerous." Skirting around the mess, I cautiously led Dakotah to the living room, oblivious to the company that awaited us: my grandmother and father. Suddenly self conscious, I release Dakotah's hold, my arm falling to my side. My grandmother of course, never missed the motion.
"Hello there grandson." Speaking in a warm, soothing voice, I instantly got the chills. Here was a predator pretending to be prey.
"Hello Mrs.—"
"Please, just grandma is fine." She spoke quickly, as if trying to hide something. Probably from Dakotah.
"Okay—"Lifting my shoulders in a half-shrug, and looking at my father, I wordlessly ask him: What's this visit about? My dad, being a father who knew his child well, caught my drift and cleared his throat.
"Hey son. How's college life so far? Your grandmother's been wondering as well, but I guess it's still your first day…"
I couldn't really blame my dad for being at a lost for words. We were both weirded-out by the situation. Especially with Dakotah also being in the room, motionless beside me. Silent, tall, and looming over all of us like a tree. "I haven't really done much. Missed the beginning of orientation, got lost, met Dakotah and just now came back from the hospital." Of course, I didn't mention the horse gifted to me. My dad might've had a heart attack, thinking I would have some kind of debt to owe.
The last sentence made my dad look worried, "What's wrong Will?" Walking forward, he closed the small gap between us in a heartbeat. Taking my hands into his. "You're not sick are you."
Blushing, I held his hands silently for a moment. "No, dad. I'm fine. It was Dakotah. He accidentally cut himself on the porcelain over there." Freeing a hand, I pointed to the shattered remains. "I was actually going to sweep it up after I got Dakotah settled, but well, here you guys are. Waiting for me."
My father looked me over, his eyes searching for any sign of distress. After a while, he seemed satisfied and released my hands. He then turned his attention towards Dakotah. "Are you alright Dakotah? I wouldn't want your family to worry."
"I'm alright now Mr. Grace. Just got some stitches and a splint." Lifting his hand as proof, he continued, "nothing was damaged, but the cut was deep so I won't be doing anything for at least a week. Let alone training."
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the old hag of a grandmother smile slightly and I instantly wished it was her, not Dakotah, that had the laceration. I knew it was horrible of me to think like that; I knew my mother wouldn't be happy with me, but I really resented the old hag. She was probably rejoicing at Dakotah's misery. For he was miserable— as figure skating was his life—and not training for a week could affect his overall performance. Not to mention his chances of becoming the international champion.
"Sorry to hear that. I really do hope you get back on your feet son." My father tells him, a smile on his face as he pats Dakotah gently on the opposing shoulder. Forgetting the brief torrent of hatred I was experiencing, I smiled at my dad. "Thanks dad."
Dakotah nodded his thanks as well and feeling that the conversation was at an end, or at least I prayed, close to ending; the old hag spoke. "William, I'm actually here today to give you your school curriculum and a list of extracurricular activities."
Holding out a wrinkled hand, I could see the purple veins that webbed underneath her fragile skin like parched paper. Carefully removing the schedule from her grasp, I scan through the list briefly: archery, horseback riding, dancing and figure skating were chosen for my extracurricular activities. As for the actual classes, let's just say I wasn't happy to see "Statistics" on the list.
I must've made a face because Dakotah snickered and my grandmother gave an exasperated sigh. Quickly composing myself, "Thanks grandma, for everything." Which was true, in some part: for coming to this prestigious school to skate again, meeting Dakotah and for giving me a new goal in life: to beat her at her own game.
Smiling, I fold the paper and place it in my back pants pocket. "Anything else?"
My grandmother and father look at each other for a brief moment before she replies, "No, there isn't." Dakotah and I then separate to let them pass, watching as they too, skirted the mess in the kitchen. Once the door closes firmly behind them, I release the breath I'd been holding. Dakotah, turning his eyes towards me, just laughs. "Playing a dangerous game are we?"